As the air temperatures continue to warm up rapidly marking the onslaught of summer, the snow runoff matched with thunderstorms have caused quick and dangerous water flows around Mineral County’s tributaries.
Recently, the Mono County Emergency Management department announced that 326 billion gallons of water are expected to flow off the High Sierra mountaintops at an unprecedented rate, creating waterways that are running fast and full while possibly flooding parts of the roads.
Commuters have reported that Walker River, which flows from Yerington to Walker Lake (West Walker River starts in Mono County) also seems quite high and moves downstream close to the road in some areas.
Local governments are warning residents to be aware of the sections of swift and cold water as this historic runoff continues.
In mid-May, the Mineral County Emergency Management department was already dealing with small flooding in Nevada and was nervous about the possibility of heavy rain and high temperatures creating more of an impact. They recommended that people carry extra provisions with them (water, food, clothing) when recreating out in the wilderness and be wary of sudden temperature changes that could cause heatstroke. It also wants to remind people that there are lots of areas in rural Nevada that don’t have cell service, so find a way to contact emergency services if needed. And always tell a friend or family member where you’re going.
A week later on May 23, the Walker River Paiute Tribe also issued a Public Notice stating that Weber Reservoir would be closed until further notice due to the above-average snowpack flowing into the reservoir likely leaving banks/cliffs in some areas. “Safety is the number one priority as we prepare our community for the high flows of water,” the WRPT Tribal Council posted.
On the morning of June 6, the National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for Walker Lake, reiterating the need to be careful around the area’s waterways.
“Streams and mainstem rivers continue to flow fast and cold. Avoid recreating near fast-running and nearly full waterways. Daily showers/thunderstorms will increase the threat of flash flooding. Have a way to receive weather alerts! Get to higher ground immediately if a nearby river or stream rises quickly, if there is debris in the water, or if the water suddenly becomes muddy,” heeds the warning.
Last weekend, the Walker Lake Working Group posted that the water levels rose one percent in just four days, and it is now 51 percent full at 1.165-million-acre feet (the lake is 100 percent full at 2.3-million-acre feet). Since March 13 when the Working Group started posting the cfs daily, the lake has risen 7.47 vertical feet.
